Zoological Illustrations Series II/Plate 100



We feel some surprize that Lamark should have viewed this large and imposing Murex as one of the varieties of Saxatilis, from which it is unquestionably distinct. It is by no means common, nor do we know its precise locality.

In directing the attention of the philosophic Zoologist to the above synopsis, we feel called upon to express our opinion on the unfortunate Denis De Montford, whose labours, however honoured in his own country, have neither been understood nor appreciated in this. We can say of him, what can be said of very few, that he had an intuitive perception of natural groups. And if we cannot place him on a par with his great rival Lamark, in the extent of his researches, or the polished accuracy of his names, we can safely affirm that in other respects, he is fully equal, either to him, or to any of his successors.

There are some extraordinary analogies between the natural types of this genus, and the series of vertebrated animals, which we cannot at present develope. Nor can our doubts on the Sub-typical form, which we rather think has not been discovered, effect any alteration of the series here pointed out.